Grand Rapids Art Museum celebrates Spring with floral exhibit

GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. - The Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM) is pleased to announce the return of its bi-annual spring celebration of art and floral design, "Art in Bloom". From Friday, March 24 through Sunday, March 26. The weekend-long event presents the work of talented floral designers from across West Michigan.

Art in Bloom celebrates the arrival of spring at GRAM by inviting local floral designers to create elegant and thought provoking arrangements inspired by works from the Museum's permanent collection. The floral designs will be presented alongside their corresponding artwork in the Museum's Level 3 galleries.

“We’re thrilled for the return of Art in Bloom,” said GRAM Manager of Corporate Partnerships and Fundraising Events, Marnie McGuire. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for floral professionals to showcase their design skills and creativity center stage at the Grand Rapids Art Museum, and offers a new lens for our visitors to experience GRAM’s permanent collection through. It’s definitely a can’t-miss weekend!”

A panel comprised of floral and art experts and members of the Grand Rapids creative community will select the Juried Winner, which will be announced at Art in Bloom’s opening reception on Friday, March 24. Visitors can cast a vote for their favorite floral composition for the selection of the People’s Choice Award, to be announced on Sunday, March 26.

The pieces on view in "Art in Bloom" from GRAM’s collection range from Frank Gehry’s Power Play Armchair to Alexis Rockman’s Tropical Migrants. The floral designers’ sculptures are intended to emphasize, challenge, and build upon elements and concepts within a selected work of art, creating a dialogue between the two pieces

The three-day exhibition and competition includes a full floral-focused schedule of events throughout the museum. On Saturday, March 25 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., Ron Platt, Chief Curator, and Alice Waterous AIFD, CF, CFD, PFCI, a floral design consultant from Grand Haven, are leading guests on the "Art in Bloom" Tour—an exploration of the works by "Art in Bloom’s" talented floral designers.

The final performance of GRAM’s winter Sunday Classical Concert Series, on March 26, from 2 to 3 p.m., takes on a floral twist with Music in Bloom.